As it stands, Windows 10 users can expect to see up to five promoted apps interspersed with their own apps on the Start menu. However, once the Anniversary Edition drops, that number will increase to 10. These promoted apps can be removed from the Start menu one at a time, but most people will simply put up with them. Or at least that’s what Microsoft must be hoping.

Google Launches Messaging App Spaces

Google has launched a new social messaging app called Spaces. The app offers a way for you to discuss specific topics with friends and family members. And with Google Search, Chrome, and YouTube all built into the app, you shouldn’t ever have to switch between Spaces and other apps.

Here’s how Google Spaces works: You create a Space on a topic you’re passionate about. You then invite friends via email, a message, or social media. You can then share content and discuss the topic to your heart’s content. All without ever leaving this one app designed to do it all.

Twitter Will Soon Ignore Links

Twitter is changing the character limit in tweets. Not by much, but every little helps. According to Bloomberg, while each tweet will still be limited to being 140 characters, links and photos will no longer count towards the total.

Links are already shortened in order to free up space, but they still take up 23 characters, or over 15% of a standard tweet. This subtle change, which is likely to be pushed out in the next couple of weeks, would therefore give you room for an extra hashtag or two.

The BBC Is Making a Netflix Competitor

The BBC could be planning to launch a new subscription-based streaming service to rival Netflix. That is at least according to The Telegraph, which quotes from the British Government’s white paper on the future of the BBC that “some form of additional subscription services” should be developed over the coming years.

The subscription service, which is currently being referred to as Britflix, would see the BBC team up with rival broadcaster ITV as well as several production companies. UK Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, who is the minister forcing the BBC to make sweeping changes, said:

“We’re moving into a different world where more and more content is going to be made available on demand. Collaboration with other broadcasters and other production companies, we think, is important. If they want to explore that kind of thing, we’d encourage them.”

However, it turns out that stock footage can, when edited together properly, create a short film. With a plot and everything. The work of Marissa King, This Is a Generic Love Story is a great example of what a video editor can achieve, taking strands of nonsense and turning them into gold. [H/T DesignTaxi]

Your Views on Today’s Tech News

How do you feel about promoted apps on your Windows 10 Start menu? Will you be installing Google Spaces? Should Twitter just ditch the 140-characters limit already? Would you pay to watch BBC content online? Do you love or hate the stock footage short film?

Let us know your thoughts on the Tech News of the day by posting to the comments section below. Because a healthy discussion is always welcome.

Tech News Digest is a daily column paring the technology news of the day down into bite-sized chunks that are easy to read and perfect for sharing.

Dave Parrack is a journalist from the UK. Growing up at a time when the internet was blossoming inspired his fascination with technology. With 10 years experience writing online, he's currently the Tech News writer and Entertainment editor at MakeUseOf. You can follow him at About.me.